Village of River Forest Board of Trustees met May 8
Here are the minutes provided by the board:
A regular meeting of the Village of River Forest Board of Trustees was held on Monday, May 8th, at 7:00 p.m. in the Community Room of Village Hall, 400 Park Avenue - River Forest, IL.
1. CALL TO ORDER/ROLL CALL
The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. Upon roll call, the following persons were:
Present: President Adduci, Trustees Gillis, Vazquez, Johnson, Brennan, Bachner, O'Connell, Village Clerk Keller
Absent: None
Also Present: Village Administrator Matt Walsh, Fire Chief Thomas Gaertner, Police Chief James O'Shea, Deputy Police Chief James Greenwood, Finance Director Rosemary McAdams, Village Attorney Lance Malina, HR Manager Trish Ivansek, Public Works Analyst Seth Jansen, Public Works Director Jeff Loster.
2. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE
President Adduci led the pledge of allegiance.
3. SPECIAL PRESENTATION - SWEARING IN OF ELECTED OFFICIALS
Village Clerk Keller swore in Trustees Brennan, Bachner and O'Connell for another term as Village Trustee.
4. CITIZEN COMMENTS
President Adduci invited Dr. Nucifora up to the podium to give public comment regarding the Traffic and Safety Commission.
Dr. Nucifora discussed the process for residents requesting traffic installations.
She asked if these procedures had been followed for the traffic installations installed in the Northeast Corner of town.
She asked that any future requests be handled in the same manner as the requests made for the Northeast barriers.
5. ELECTED OFFICIAL COMMENTS & ANNOUNCEMENTS
Trustee O'Connell reminded residents driving their cars to be careful for bicyclists. He also reminded residents that garbage should be placed on the parkway the night before trash pickup.
Trustee Johnson echoed the same sentiments as Trustee O'Connell regarding bicyclists. He also congratulated the re-elected trustees that were sworn in that evening.
Trustee Brennan reported that this week was national compost week.
She asked that a proclamation be created for the next meeting and suggested that the Sustainability Commission consider an education event.
She reported attending the Community Quarterly Safety Meeting. Trustee Brennan asked that the meeting audio be uploaded to the website.
Trustee Brennan reported that the planning for the Juneteenth Flag Raising ceremony is going smoothly.
Trustee Brennan asked that the Lake & Lathrop developers attend a Board meeting. Village Administrator Walsh reported inviting representatives to this meeting and that the invitation was declined. He stated he will continue to invite them.
Village Clerk Keller congratulated Trustees Bachner, O'Connell and Brennan on getting reelected.
Trustee Vazquez congratulated Trustees Bachner, O'Connell and Brennan on getting reelected. He also gave a shoutout to Seniors Week and events that are being put on by the River Forest Township.
Trustee Gillis congratulated Trustees Bachner, O'Connell and Brennan on getting reelected.
Trustee Gillis asked for a date on when the procedures for installing traffic barriers requested by residents were last altered. She also reminded Public Works Analyst Jansen to keep up the work with the sustainability social media presence.
Director Loster reported that the policy surrounding the petition for the Traffic and Safety Commission was adopted around two to three years ago. He stated that the procedure was tailored to more simple requests such as a stop sign at an intersection.
Utilizing the Safe Routes for School Traffic Installations as an example, Director Loster explained how the petition procedure may be difficult to executive when adding traffic infrastructure at tens of intersections.
Trustee Johnson asked that the procedures be clarified.
Village Attorney Malina explained the differences in some of the procedures surrounding traffic installations and the Traffic and Safety Commission.
Trustee Bachner began her remarks with a Land Acknowledgment. She reported attending a ribbon cutting ceremony for a new ice cream and sweet shop on North. Avenue called Ice-Ice Baby. She stressed the importance of supporting this shop and other small businesses in River Forest.
Trustee Bachner reminded everyone about the Pride Flag raising on June 1st and additional pride events.
President Adduci congratulated Trustees Bachner, O'Connell and Brennan on getting reelected.
6. CONSENT AGENDA
a. Village Board of Trustees Meeting Minutes - April 24, 2023
b. Village Board of Trustees Executive Session Minutes - April 10, 2023
c. Administration Department Report
d. Monthly Department Reports
e. Accounts Payable - $1,843,846.55
f. Amendment to the Fiscal Year 2023-2024 Compensation Plan - Ordinance
g. A Right-of-Way Encroachment Waiver and Agreement for an Irrigation System in the Public Right-of-Way with the Property Owners at 523 Jackson Avenue
h. River Forest Civility Pledge
i. Water and Sewer Rates Amendment - Ordinance
j. Arbor Day Amendment - Ordinance
k. Arbor Day - Proclamation
1. Older Americans Month - Proclamation
m. Jewish American Heritage Month - Proclamation
n. Bike Month - Proclamation
MOTION by Trustee O'Connell to approve consent agenda items a-n. Seconded by Trustee Bachner.
Roll call:
Ayes: Gillis, Vazquez, Johnson, Bachner, Brennan, O'Connell
Absent:
Nays: None
Motion Passes.
7. CONSENT ITEMS FOR SEPARATE CONSIDERATION
None.
8. RECOMMENDATIONS OF BOARDS, COMMISSIONS, AND COMMITTEES
None.
9. UNFINISHED BUSINESS
None.
10. NEW BUSINESS
a. Award of Contract - 2023 Public Works Garage Parking Lot Reconstruction -
Chicagoland Paving Contractors, Inc. - $115,022.00
MOTION by Trustee Vazquez to award a contract to Chicagoland Paving Contractors, Inc. in the Base Bid amount of $115,022.00 for the 2023 Public Works Garage Parking Lot Reconstruction and authorize the Village Administrator to execute the contract agreement. Seconded by Trustee Johnson
Director Loster reported on the status of the parking lot and why the improvements are needed. He also noted that the Village likely only received one bid for this project due to the time period in which the bid was sent out and some of the strict requirements in the bid.
Trustee Bachner asked for clarification between the alternative bid and regular bid pricing.
Director Loster provided clarification on the difference between the prices.
Trustee Brennan asked about potential disruption to residents in the area and if any notification methods are being utilized.
Director Loster stated that notifications will be sent out and that he expects minimal issues due to the simple nature of the project.
Roll call:
Ayes: Gillis, Vazquez, Johnson, Bachner, Brennan, O'Connell Absent:
Nays: None
Motion Passes.
b. Award of Contract - Police Shooting Range Improvements - D5 Ranges - $29, 447.50
MOTION by Trustee Johnson to enter into an agreement with D5 Ranges to complete the range project as presented with D5 ranges in the amount of $29,447.50. Seconded by Trustee Brennan
Roll call:
Ayes: Gillis, Vazquez, Johnson, Bachner, Brennan, O'Connell
Absent:
Nays: None
Motion Passes.
11. EXECUTIVE SESSION
MOTION by Trustee Bachner to enter Executive Session pursuant to 5ILCS 120/2(c)(11) to discuss: pending litigation, and the Village Board will adjourn after executive session and will not return to open session. Seconded by Trustee O'Connell.
Roll call:
Ayes: Gillis, Vazquez, Johnson, Bachner, Brennan, O'Connell
Absent:
Nays: None
Motion Passes.
12. ADJOURNMENT
MOTION to adjourn by Trustee Bachner. Second by Trustee O'Connell
Roll call:
Ayes: Gillis, Vazquez, Johnson, Brennan, Bachner, O'Connell Absent:
Nays: None
The Village Board of Trustees Meeting adjourned at 8:40 p.m.
https://www.vrf.us/uploads/cms/documents/events/05-08-23_VBOT_Minutes_Signed.pdf
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